What does it take to harmonize?

I have this great old book by Maitland Graves, called The Art of Color and Design, copyright 1951. I am pretty sure it was a textbook for the Pratt Institute of Art. It's so old school. No fluff, just sound keys and principles on good design. From this book I have learned a great deal about harmony in design.

"Harmony is a combination of units which are similar in one or more respects.

Harmony is a medium interval or difference in one or more dimensions. Units are harmonious when one or more of their elements or qualities, such as shape, size, or color, are alike."

Take these two circles for example. They are identical in size and shape but different in color. They harmonize insofar as they have similar elements.

"Complete repetition is one extreme. Here, all the units are identical in size, shape, color, value. The effect of complete repetition is monotony.

Discord is the opposite extreme. Discord is a combination of totally unrelated units. The effect of total dissimilarity is discord.

Good design runs the gamut from one extreme to the other.

Harmony is between the two extremes and combines the character of both.

So somewhere between extreme monotony and extreme discord is visual harmony.
"Repetiton, harmony, or discord, therefore, is simply a matter of degree of interval or difference between units. If two units have no dimension or quality that they share in common, they are totally unrelated and represent maximum opposition or contrast. If one of their dimensions is similar or identical, the units are harmonious. If two, more harmonious. If all their dimensions are the same, the units are identical.

These three fundamental forms, repetition, harmony, and discord, and their combinations are the basis of all art structure."

Comments

Show Season preparations begin

It's March, and that means one thing: TIME TO PREPARE FOR SHOW SEASON! That's right, it's about to get crazy around here. And I mean that in a good way. I've been waiting for show season to start ever since it ended back in November. Even with all the work, all the energy, all the artistic endeavors, all the money and time invested, and all the headaches that come along with it, I am nonetheless excited and ready. So call me crazy, I can take it. And please come see me and hopefully add to your collection of my work. Here's my booth in the process of getting set up in my yard. I know it's only March 13th, and my first show isn't for two months. But here's the deal. Right now it's a gorgeous sunny and 70 degrees here in Indiana, so I absolutely HAVE TO be outside. It's been a long winter, and even though this is only "fake spring," I'll take it. Also, I have intended to give my booth an update and take care of...

Outa the Woods and on the Road Again!

After literally being in the woods in my studio all winter, I'm now ready to take it on the road with my mixed media collage pieces, aptly entitled "Of the Woods". This weekend, to kick off the show season, is one of my favorite shows. It is the Broad Ripple Art Fair, at the Indianapolis Art Center. I will be in booth #53 in the field, unless some last-minute begging on my part results in getting the shady spot next to the Art Center, where I was last year. My booth has evolved over the years, but is still sage green with flowy curtains and dappled light. This year has been one of great learning and experimentation with new techniques and materials. Light through leaves remains a strong theme of my work. I continue to seek that place of solace in the woods. My palette is still muted and earthy, but with vibrant pops of color. I am a lover of coneflowers, ferns, and all the rich textures and layers of flor...

Big News!

For awhile now I have been thinking about sustainability with my work. As in, how long can I honestly sustain this pace of doing art shows all over the midwest? Which I love, mind you, BUT. You may not know this but I'm not getting any younger! The gamble with shows is that, even with the best preparations, it may not be worth all the trouble. It could be a great show, with sales non-stop, or the opposite, with barely enough to cover expenses. And whether great, good or bad, it still requires the same immense energy. Not to mention gas, lodging and food. I am not complaining; I've had a pretty good show season. That being said, I have been thinking alot about sustainability. I'm also thinking ahead about the daily routine of going out to the studio (which I love) and starting the fire in the woodstove (also love) and then waiting the hours it takes to get it warm enough to work. Add to that how the groundhogs have m...

The Art Dept

Search This Blog